Abstract: A method for use in a broadband network includes displaying the cumulative amounts in a hierarchy of network issues, the hierarchy including a summary category including summary values indicating total cumulative amounts of time that the network elements in the at least a desired portion of the network were considered at corresponding qualities of performance, the hierarchy further including a plurality of sub-categories contributing to the summary category, and the sub-categories each further comprising at least one sub-sub-category contributing to the sub-categories.

Abstract: A system, for use with a broadband network, includes a network-metrics apparatus configured to obtain first metrics of performance of at least a portion of the broadband network, a data-processing apparatus coupled to the network-metrics apparatus and configured to combine a plurality of first metrics into a second metric of network performance indicative of a higher-level of network performance than indicated by the first metrics, and a data-arranging apparatus coupled to the data-processing apparatus and configured to arrange at least a portion of the first metrics and the second metric into a predetermined format.

Abstract: A system, for use with a broadband network, includes information means for obtaining information relating to network performance, and parameter means, coupled to the information means, for parameterizing the network performance information, with parameters providing information about network performance over time.

Abstract: A computer program product includes computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to obtain performance data related to performance of a broadband network, and provide a hierarchical display of network performance, the hierarchical display including a first level with first data indicative of network operation and a second level with second data indicative of a plurality of issues comprising the first level of network performance, where the second level includes multiple issues that contain a third level with third data indicative of network issues comprising at least some of the secondary level issues.

Abstract: The apparatus (101) and method for spectrum management in a multipoint communication system controls upstream channel usage for secondary stations (110) transmitting information to a primary station (101) and downstream channel usage for secondary stations (110) receiving information from a primary station (101). The preferred apparatus (101) embodiment includes a processor arrangement (120) having a master controller (121) and a plurality of processors (130), with the processor arrangement connected to a channel interface (125). The apparatus (101) and method controls channel load balancing, channel congestion, and channel assignment in a multipoint communication system, and controls upstream channels independently from downstream channels. Factors and parameters utilized in such channel control and allocation include error parameters, channel noise parameters, transmit and receive loading factors, and congestion parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus (110, 101), method, system (100) and system method provide for distributed internetwork routing of information in a communication system (100). The communication system (100) is characterized by a topology having a primary node connected to a first network, such as the Internet, and connected via an intermediate network to a mulitplicity of secondary nodes, which are further connected via a secondary network to a plurality of terminals, such as personal computers. The apparatus (110, 101), method, system and system method provide for routing of information between the primary node and the terminals independently of and transparently to any internetwork address of a secondary node. The apparatus (110, 101), method, system and system method conserve internetwork addresses by utilizing internetwork addresses only for a primary node and for terminals.